Considering the towering structure before us, ever wondered about the power that pulses through Bremen? That power originates, in part, from the Heizwerk Bremen-Hafen.
Hello everyone. I’m excited to share the story of this industrial giant with you. The Heizwerk Bremen-Hafen isn’t just a power plant. It’s a key piece of Bremen’s energy infrastructure.
Let’s step back in time to 1957. The Heizwerk Bremen-Hafen was built in the Industriehäfen area. This location is part of the Häfen district. At that time, it was a conventional coal-fired power plant. The plant aimed to meet the rising electricity demands of Klöckner Hütte, now ArcelorMittal. The power plant had a special control system. This system helped manage sudden load changes from the steel mill.
More blocks were added in 1962 and 1964 to increase power production.
In 1968, Block 5 was added. It produced 140 MW of power. Then, in 1979, Block 6 was built. Block 6 had a 256-meter-high chimney. This chimney became Bremen’s tallest structure.
Interestingly, the Heizwerk uses a combined heat and power system. This process generates both electricity and district heating. The district heating serves Bremen’s western parts. This cogeneration makes the plant more efficient. It reduces overall energy waste.
Did you know that in 2009, the Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk Bremen was integrated here? This plant’s steam system connects to the Heizwerk Hafen’s steam network. This integration further optimized the plant’s energy output.
The plant has seen modernization efforts over the years. In 2013, Block 6 underwent a retrofit. This retrofit extended its operational life. It also improved efficiency by 2.5 percent. Its net power increased by 22 MW to 300 MW. This upgrade reduced CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour.
However, these upgrades weren’t without controversy. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Bremen criticized the continued reliance on fossil fuels. They argued the funds should go to renewable energy sources.
Block 5 was put into cold reserve in early 2014. Then, Block 6 was permanently shut down on July 7, 2021.
In January 2021, construction began on a sewage sludge incineration plant. This plant is on the same site. Operations were planned to start in autumn 2022.
The Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk Bremen unit has a net power output of 29 MW electrical and 56 MW thermal. It generates about 235,000 MWh of electricity per year. It also produces about 95,000 MWh of heat per year.
The Heizwerk connects to the 110-kV high-voltage grid. This grid is managed by Wesernetz.
The Heizwerk Bremen-Hafen stands as a testament to Bremen’s industrial evolution. It highlights the ongoing changes in energy production. From its coal-fired beginnings to modern waste incineration, the plant has adapted. It continues to adapt to Bremen’s energy needs. This adaptability ensures a steady power supply for the city. It also reflects the broader energy transition challenges.